Election Preview

Thousands of voters piled into the polls to get a jump start on voting today...all hoping to have a say in the future.

The ballot has more than just the Presidential Election for voters to consider. local candidates are concerned with some of the same things as the people at the top of the ballot.

â€œHundreds of voters showed up at this poll in Marion County today... and everyone brought with them a concern.â€

"Probably the biggest idea for the state is the marriage issue...the economy will straighten itself out."

Others...weren't as confident

"The overall conditions of the world right now...especially with this stock market thing and the money issue and the war...something has got to be done..."

And that's why this Marion County resident...named Jack..a local county plummer arrived for the occasion.

"If the economy collapses...everything that goes with it...I mean local government everything is going to feel the price"

And those running for local government offices agree...

"That's the main focus..the economy..the economy...the economy...."

Mike Amsden was an Ocala City Councilman for more than 15 years...

â€œRight now..the first thing we need to do in Marion County is to take Marion county back to basics...as every MC family is going back to basics because of the stagnation of our national and local economy ...We need to do the same.â€

Running against Amsden is Diana Butler...who has campaigned for county commission before and says it's time to solve the county's problems.

"The plan is to try to bring business and industry into this community... That is not going to be short term..we need a place to bring these businesses...and we need to have incentives.."

The other County Commission seat up for grabs is District 3....which is between incumbent Stan McClain and Mike Sizemore.